2020 Sask. Golf Hall of Fame class announced

The 2020 class of inductees into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame have been announced.

Lindsay Bernakevitch, Pat Buglass, Melodie Lawrek, Brad Phelps, and Ken Rodgers will make up the group going into the Hall.

Lindsay Bernakevitch – Player (Saskatoon)

Pat Buglass – Builder (Indian Head)

Melodie Lawrek – Builder (Regina)

Brad Phelps – Player (Saskatoon)

Ken Rodgers – Player (Regina)

The 2020 induction banquet has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new date will be announced in the future.

Golf Saskatchewan will have full video features with all five inductees over the next few weeks.

Golf community pays respect to Hall of Famer, Doug Mader

It’s with sadness the Saskatchewan golf community has lost another Hall of Fame person, and player.

Doug Mader passed away on Dec. 30, 2023.

Since his passing, at the age of 83 due to complications from a fall playing pickleball, words from around the golf community have been expressed to honour the 2011 Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame inductee.

Former Golf Saskatchewan President, and fellow Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC) member with Mader, Larry Wagman said Doug will be dearly missed at the “Home of Golf.”

“Golf in Saskatchewan and members at the Royal Regina Golf Club lost an icon with the recent passing of Doug Mader,” Wagman stated. “He will be remembered and missed as a competitor and friendly face throughout his host of friends and acquaintances.”

The RRGC sent a message to their members early in 2024, that read;

It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of Royal Regina Life Member, Doug Mader.

“Doug was a RRGC member for 60 years having originally joined the Club in 1964. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Barb, and all their family and friends.” 

In June, of 2020 Golf Saskatchewan was able to sit down with Mader at his and Barb’s beautiful Lumsden home to learn more about his career and life. To view the interview click here.

Long-time Regina Leader-Post Reporter Darrel Davis also wrote about Mader’s passing.

Golf Saskatchewan also sends condolences to Barbara and all of Doug’s family and loved ones.

Regina based Sask. Golf Hall of Fame inductees honoured

The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame welcomed four new inductees on Saturday Oct. 1 at the Royal Regina Golf Club. Left to right; Wayne Bernakevitch, Marj Bernakevitch, Ken Rodgers, Bruce Klaassen, and Melodie Lawrek.

On Oct. 1 at the Royal Regina Golf Club, four contributors to the sport in the province were honoured and inducted into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame.

After a couple years of postponements, the 2020 and 2021 classes are now being inducted with a pair of banquets. In Regina Melodie Lawrek, Bruce Klaassen, Ken Rodgers, and Lindsay Bernakevitch were officially inducted.

Klaassen is a long time Royal Regina Superintendent that his since retired from the position. He said being enshrined into the Hall of Fame was unassuming during his induction.

“I am so humbled, and so thankful to Saskatchewan golf, this isn’t something I ever aspired for but I am just humbled,” Klaassen said.

Bernakevitch couldn’t attend the gala, he is currently the head golf professional at the Victoria Golf Club. His father Wayne Bernakevitch accepted the honour on his son’s behalf. The elder Bernakevitch shared some of Lindsay’s words on the importance of staying close to your roots.

“Golf has given me the chance to travel the whole world, but I have never met folks as warm, sincere, and hospitable as they are in Saskatchewan. I very much still consider Saskatchewan home, I say I live in Victoria, but I am from Saskatchewan. I want to thank all the inductees, and this is something I will always cherish,” Bernakevitch said.

Just over 50 people attended the gala at the Royal Regina. On Oct. 22 four more inductees will be honoured including Brad Birnie, Pat Buglass, Brad Phelps, and Blaine Fagnou.

Tickets for the second gala at Riverside Country Club are available here.

For more details on the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame including the nomination process and the inductees click here.

Boyle being enshrined in Moose Jaw Sports Hall of Fame

Lorie Boyle is being inducted into the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame.

Already a Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame inductee, Moose Jaw’s Lorie Boyle is being honoured by the same recognition in her hometown.

Last Thursday the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame announced members for both 2020 and 2021. The 2020 induction was cancelled due to COVID-19. Boyle was distinguished with the provincial hall of fame honour for her excellent golf career in 2017. She said now being recognized by her hometown is special.

“What can I say? I’m extremely honoured to be chosen for this. You know for something you love to do and to have this on top of that, it’s just, wow,” Boyle said.

Boyle is being honoured alongside football player Levi Steinhauer, wrestler Frank Abdou, and the 1992 Amber Holland junior women’s curling rink. Boyle said being included in the group of deserving athletes is humbling.

“It’s pretty cool to be in with these people,” she beamed. “I still can’t believe that I’m being chosen for this. Honest to god, this is just amazing.”

The induction ceremony will take place in the fall of 2022. The committee will also enshrine a 2022 class with the 2020 and 2021 inductees as well.

More details on the announcement can be seen here.

Klaassen talks about Hall induction

Longtime golf superintendent Bruce Klaassen will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame on Sept. 18.

The Regina resident sat down with Golf Saskatchewan on a wet, dreary day at the Royal Regina Golf Club, his last work location on route to a Hall of Fame career.

With trains and mowers fittingly running in the backdrop, Klaassen talks about his passion of making things grow, starting his career and his legacy at legendary Saskatchewan courses such as Waskesiu and the Royal.

Ticket details for the induction gala have been finalized, the 2020 and 2021 inductees will have until next week to secure their tables before the public has a chance.

More details will be released next week.

Sask. Golf Hall of Fame announce 2021 class

The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame committee is pleased to announce the 2021 induction class.

Three individuals will be enshrined later this year including Brad Birnie (player/distinguished service), Blaine Fagnou (distinguished service), and Bruce Klaassen (distinguished service).

Brad Birnie (Saskatoon)

Brad Birnie was born in Saskatoon and played his early years of golf at Wildwood Golf Course, Holiday Park Golf Course, and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. He became a professional in 1986 after winning two straight Saskatchewan Amateur Championships. He also has six Lobstick wins and three professional championships. Birnie is a highly respected coach has 26 provincial championships won by his students. He was named the PGA of Saskatchewan Coach of the Year twice.

Blaine Fagnou (Saskatoon)

Blaine Fagnou has spent 26 years as the superintendent of Elk Ridge Resort. While employed at the resort the golf course hosted 11 provincial events and the 2007 Royale Senior Women’s Championship, the only time the event has been held in Saskatchewan. Fagnou also oversaw construction of Elk Ridge’s Tamarack and Birch nines while designing the construction of Aspen nine.

Bruce Klaassen (Regina)

A long-time superintendent, Bruce Klaassen has left his mark on two legendary Saskatchewan courses. Beginning his career in Toronto at St. George’s Golf Club Klaassen returned to the province taking over as turf specialist for the City of Regina. In 1985 he became the head superintendent at Waskesiu Golf Course, he returned to the Queen City and the “home of golf” in Saskatchewan, the Royal Regina Golf Club where “in 19 years as superintendent at the Royal Regina, Bruce has significantly improved and transformed the course.”

The 2021 induction ceremony is scheduled to be held on Sept. 18 at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon. The 2020 banquet was cancelled due to COVID-19. The 2020 induction class will also be honoured that evening.

Golf Saskatchewan will feature each 2021 inductee leading up to the induction ceremony.

Ticket details and ticket availability will be announced in the future.

Hall of Fame nominations close Friday

2020 Hall of Fame induction class

Friday is the last day to have nomination forms for the 2021 Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame (SGHF) submitted.

Last year with the induction of five individuals the enshrinement list grew to 59 people.

Once elected to the Hall of Fame, nominees are officially inducted at a special ceremony by the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame. The honoured member’s portrait is then enshrined at the Golf Saskatchewan office and available for viewing on the Golf Saskatchewan website.

Each category has certain criteria to be filled before induction will be approved by the committee. For the player division nominees must:

  1. Be an adult, female/male/individual, of any race, colour or creed, not necessarily living at the time of consideration.
  2. Be at least, 40 years of age (unless already deceased) at the time of consideration.
  3. Be a resident, or former resident with substantial connections to Saskatchewan.
  4. Be an amateur or professional golfer during the period of accomplishments; and
  5. Be a person who has brought recognition to Saskatchewan primarily through excellence in golf championship play at the international, national, regional, and/or provincial level.

For distinguished service individuals they must meet the following terms:

  1. Be an adult, male/female/individual, of any race, colour or creed, not necessarily living at the time of consideration.
  2. Have resided and provided a minimum of 10 years of distinguished service in Saskatchewan when most extraordinary contributions to golf were made.
  3. Have made a significant contribution to golf in Saskatchewan. However, service to other national, regional, provincial, state or local golf associations may be considered.
  4. Be selfless and have devoted service “Above and beyond the call of duty.”

If you wish to nominate someone for induction visit the SGHF website and download the entry form.

In 2020 the induction banquet was cancelled due to COVID-19. The 2021 ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18 at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon.

Details to follow after updates are communicated from the Government of Saskatchewan and the Re-Open Phases.

Golf in 2020: Looking back on a year you’ll never forget

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley

The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions and killed hundreds of thousands around the world. Almost without exception, everyone was affected in some way. Its effects extended beyond the physical toll, causing emotional, psychological and economic impact. We were hard-pressed to find ways to stay positive and active. Many turned to golf as an outlet, even therapy of sorts.

“What an incredibly strange and challenging year,” Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “Golf has been a silver lining, a bright light, call it what you may, in giving people a bit of a break from the pandemic.”

Record rounds were registered across the country consistently throughout the year, played under strict precautionary COVID-19 protocols.

 

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While participation grew across the country, most tournaments and social gatherings at golf clubs were cancelled or postponed, including the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open. The Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada cancelled its season. All Golf Canada’s national championships and many provincial association tournaments were shelved.

“We’re going to look back on 2020 and say, ‘amongst all the challenges, amongst a lot of really difficult situations for so many people, golf was a bright light that we built from,’” Applebaum said.

For example, the COVID-19 Golf Relief Fund initiated by Golf Canada and the Canadian Golf Foundation raised more than $400,000. The fund subsidizes non-medical personal protective equipment for golf course employees as well as sanitization, hygiene and protective material expenses. It also subsidizes rounds of golf for front-line workers as well as juniors.

What follows are some of the top golf-related stories from 2020, a very different year. These are just some of the headlines. Details on these stories and many others are available under News on the Golf Canada website.

January

The new World Handicap System came into effect with the goal of making the game more enjoyable by providing a consistent means of measuring performance and progress and to enable golfers of differing abilities to compete or play a casual round with anyone else on a fair and equal basis.

Jared du Toit, a member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad, won the PGA TOUR Latinoamerica Qualifying Tournament Mexico.

Grace McCann of Windsor, Ont., a past president of the former Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association, passed away at the age of 85.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada named Brooke Henderson (female professional), Corey Conners (male professional), Garrett Rank (male amateur) and Brigitte Thibault (female amateur) as players of the year for 2019.

February

Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Que., was elected for a second term at Golf Canada’s annual meeting. Liz Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont., and Dale Jackson of Victoria remain as first and second vice-president respectively. Bill MacMillan of Eastern Passage, N.S., received the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award. Volunteer Richard Smith of Regina and golf journalist Ian Hutchison of Newmarket, Ont., received Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award.

Celeste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-L’lle-Perrot, Que., a graduate of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad, won the NCAA’s Gold Rush tournament in California.

Nick Taylor shot a final-round 2-under-par 70 to claim a wire-to-wire four-stroke victory in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California. Taylor overcame 40 mph gusts of winds and finished at 19-under to become the first Canadian to win the event.

Golf Canada named the 2020 Young Pro Squads: Hugo Bernard, Jared du Toit, Stuart Macdonald, Taylor Pendrith, Chris Crisologo and Joey Savoie for the men and Jaclyn Lee, Brittany Marchand and Maddie Szeryk for the women.

 

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March

As the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic enveloped not only Canada but the world, governments ordered the shutdown of non-essential businesses, which in most provinces included golf courses.

The Summer Olympics, scheduled to begin in July in Tokyo, are postponed until 2021 due to the pandemic. They will still be called the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, however.

April

Canadian Scott Pritchard, previously vice-president of the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, is promoted to executive director.

May

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, most golf courses across Canada did not open on schedule this spring. Although those in British Columbia were never ordered to close, those in other provinces were shuttered until they were allowed to open when stringent anti-COVID safeguards were in place. New Brunswick courses opened April 24 with the balance of the provinces following suit throughout the month of May.

Golf Canada announced the formation of the Golf Industry Advisory Council, a volunteer group of experienced professionals to support Golf Canada’s Board of Directors and management team. The council will include course owners, operators, general managers, superintendents and professionals as well as executives from the golf equipment, apparel and footwear industry.

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame announced Lorie Kane of Charlottetown was among six athletes and five builders who will receive the Order of Sports award, Canada’s highest sporting honour.

The Prince Edward Island Golf Association named Alison Griffin as its new executive director.

The PGA TOUR announced that it would resume without spectators in June. The Tour had suspended play since The Players Championship was cancelled in March.

June

Despite months of planning, the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the founding of Golf Canada on June 6, 1895, also fell victim to the pandemic. Nevertheless, the historic occasion was commemorated virtually with pivotal moments in Canadian golf being recalled on social media platforms using the hashtag #GolfCanada125.

Golf Canada announces that St. George’s Golf and Country Club will play host to the 2021 RBC Canadian Open. The 2020 championship, scheduled for St. George’s, was cancelled due to the pandemic.

July

Team Canada’s Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., won the Women’s Western Amateur in Illinois.

The LPGA Tour announced it would resume July 31 without spectators after having suspended play in February.

August

Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific announced that Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club will play host to the 2022 CP Women’s Open.

 

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The Golf Canada Women in Coaching Program, a partnership between Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada with the goal of putting the sport on the path to further balance between the sexes at a high level, was announced.

The new and free Golf Canada app was launched, allowing golfers nationwide to record and track their scores, trace where they have played and provide detailed game statistics as a game improvement tool.

The PGA TOUR announced that the 2024 Presidents Cup will return to The Royal Montreal Golf Club. The event, which pits the top male pros from the U.S. against the best from the rest of the world (except Britain and Europe), was held there in 2007.

Golf Canada and U.S.-based First Tee announced the launch of First Tee-Canada. The partnership will bring First Tee’s youth development emphasis to strengthen Golf Canada’s junior golf activities —previously conducted under the Future Links brand — that reach kids in schools and at golf facilities. The innovative First Tee curriculum will focus on empowering young people to build strength of character through the game of golf.

 

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September

The third annual CP Women’s Leadership Summit, held virtually due to the pandemic, provided inspiring stories and a networking opportunity along with accepting donations for the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. Hosted by TSN anchor Lindsay Hamilton, speakers included golfers Lorie Kane and Brooke Henderson, Olympians Marnie McBean and Perdita Felicien and other prominent women in leadership positions. “It was a success story for us,” said Mary Beth McKenna, assistant RBC Canadian Open tournament director who has co-led the event since it began.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada announced that Kim Locke of Toronto, founder and president of SCOREGolf, was the 2020 recipient of the Dick Grimm Award. The association’s highest honour is awarded in memory of the late Richard Grimm whose legendary service to the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian golf industry remains unparalleled.

Laurent Desmarchais of Bromont, Que., a member of Team Canada’s junior squad, went wire-to-wire to win the season-ending Canada Life Series Championship at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

October

PGA TOUR Champions rookie Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont., had victory in sight leading by three strokes heading into the final round of the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Virginia but fellow rookie Phil Mickelson denied him the win. It was Weir’s third top-10 finish in eight starts on the tour.

PGA of Canada member Jennifer Greggain of Chilliwack, B.C., was named coach of the National Junior Squads by Golf Canada, working with head coach Robert Ratliffe.

Findlay Young of Prince George, B.C., a former Golf Canada president and honourary life governor, passed away at the age of 92.

November

Twenty-nine athletes, male and female, were named by Golf Canada to represent Team Canada as part of the 2021 national Amateur and Junior Squads. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all athletes from the 2020 squad were able to return in 2021, provided they met team eligibility criteria.

Aaron Cockerill of Stone Mountain, Man., finished T4 at the JoBurg Open in South Africa, his best career finish on the European Tour.

The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) report, conducted on behalf of the national Allied Golf Associations (We Are Golf), was released. Among its findings were that the Canadian golf industry generated $18.2 billion in economic benefits, employs the equivalent of nearly 249,000 people through direct and spin-off effects and contributed to $10.6 billion in household income.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., finished in a tie for 10th at the Masters, which was postponed from its traditional April date due to the pandemic. That finish guaranteed him a spot in the 2021 Masters.

 

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Golf Genius Software, the leading worldwide provider of tournament management solutions, announced that Golf Canada and the provincial golf associations will begin using Golf Genius Tournament Management for their competitions in 2021.


So while what lies ahead for 2021 remains unclear, we can only hope that when we compile next year’s “Year in Review,” life as we know it will have returned to a semblance of normality, on the course and off.

Tom Kinsman inducted into Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame

Tom Kinsman now calls Lloydminster home.

Tom Kinsman is a long-time Manitoba based golf professional but for the last couple years has called Lloydminster home.

Kinsman assists Marty Wheaton at the Lloydminster Golf & Curling Centre after a lengthy career at Southwood Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg.

Last week he was announced as one of the 2020 Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame inductees. Golf Saskatchewan spoke with Kinsman via Zoom to discuss his career and the honour.

Pat Buglass – Welcome to the Hall

Pat Buglass started volunteering in the mid 1970’s and now her time has earned her a seat in the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame.

Buglass was born in Indian Head and got involved with the sport of golf at Katepwa playing with her parents. Once she moved to Saskatoon for university Buglass got involved with the executive at the Holiday Park Golf Course. Her tenure at Holiday Park included 20 years as the club captain. Buglass said she got involved because giving back was instilled in her growing up.

“I grew up with the idea that if you took part in something you contributed back to it,” Buglass told Golf Saskatchewan. “It was the family tradition; you didn’t let others be the ones to organize and do everything.”

Buglass went on to become the president of the Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association in 1998. She was in the role during the amalgamation of the men’s and women’s provincial golf associations. She was also heavily involved in many Saskatoon city championships and national events. She then got involved with course rating and contributed many hours towards clubs across Saskatchewan.

“About 1992 when the course rating changed to the slope system I took the course and I started volunteering. I enjoyed that because of the fact you got to go out to different golf courses across the province and work with some wonderful people,” she said.

Buglass is also a long-time rules official. She attended her first clinic in 1997 and is still a fixture at provincial events.

Buglass is an accomplished player as well holding a 30-year record as Holiday Park’s women’s and senior women’s champion. In 1994 she represented Saskatchewan on the senior women’s golf team and was also a representative for Saskatchewan on the provincial senior women’s curling team. Buglass said being recognized by the golf community is a great feeling.

“What it means is people appreciate the volunteer work that goes into making these golf tournaments and organizations viable. You are part of a larger society and they recognize people who do these jobs without any expectations of being honoured or rewarded in any way,” she said.

You can view Buglass’ bio here. You can hear more from Buglass in her interview with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork below.